Faking It with Ariel and Morgan

Ariel Leigh Cohen & Morgan Smith

Two intimacy coordinators reveal what actually happens behind the scenes of film and TV's most iconic intimate moments. We're Ariel and Morgan, two professional intimacy coordinators who choreograph sex scenes for film and TV. We pull back the curtain on how intimacy is really made—from the awkward logistics to the craft that makes it look effortless. On Faking It, we break down: Heated Rivalry: the back arch, the bed share, and why good gay sex wins over hockeyThe hottest no-contact scene in cinema history (Secretary)Why Brokeback Mountain's tent scene needed more lubeThe invisible Buffy sex scene that required flawless pantomimeBarbarella's orgasm machinePEN15's honest depiction of teenage arousal Get behind-the-scenes secrets, absurd Hollywood stories, real talk about love and sex, and a front-row seat to the art of pretending. New episodes every other week. Subscribe now so you don't miss the next breakdown. Catch us on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and all podcast platforms. Follow usInstagram & TikTok: @FakingItThePodPatreon: bonus episodes and scene requestsWebsite: FakingItThePod.com

  1. Sep 23 ·  Video

    Hacks: Hot Showers, Stage Fright, & Fake Gay Panic

    Hacks intimacy scene breakdown: nudity, nightmares, a fake lesbian relationship, and the intimacy coordinators behind them. An intimacy coordinator's take on comedy, nudity, and chemistry This week we cover Ava and Ruby's shower scene, Deborah's bizarre no-clothes nightmare, and that kiss between Ava and Deborah. We get into staging, body doubles, actor boundaries, power dynamics, chemistry, and why sometimes an intimacy scene just doesn't quite... sync up. Plus: we put all three scenes through the Spice Scale, and one of them somehow got a D. Hacks: Season 3, Episode 2 & Season 5, Episode 7 Intimacy Coordinators: Chantal Cousineau, Sarah Scott & Adrienne Couper Smith.  Watch along timestamps: S3E2 (Better Late) | "Ava and Ruby's Shower Scene": 5:16 – 6:21S5E7 (Montecito) | "Deborah's Nightmare": 0:00 – 0:43S5E7 (Montecito) | "Ava and Deborah's Kiss": 16:44 – 17:01Subscribe to Faking It the Pod for behind-the-scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Stay real, Fakers. #Hacks #IntimacyCoordinator #SpiceScale #TVbreakdown Research sources: Rappler (AFP): Nude scenes "incredibly liberating," says Hacks star Hannah EinbinderSupport the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

    Hacks: Hot Showers, Stage Fright, & Fake Gay Panic
  2. Sep 9 ·  Video

    The Invite: Consent, Chemistry & Couple Swapping

    The Invite (2026) intimacy scene breakdown: Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton's sexy, cringe swinging comedy. An intimacy coordinator's take on consent, chemistry, and couple swapping This week on Faking It, intimacy coordinators Morgan Smith and Ariel break down The Invite (2026), Olivia Wilde's A24 comedy about a married couple, Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde), whose upstairs neighbors Piña (Penélope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) invite them into something far outside their comfort zone. It's one of the most deliciously awkward sex scenes we've covered, and we're here for all of it. We're talking: Why authenticity can be more valuable than instant chemistryWhat happens when one partner's ready to go when the other is notHow characters' personalities can continue when scenes get spicyThe psychology of kink, control, and surrender in a sex sceneWhether this scene really needed an intimacy coordinatorWatch along timestamps: The Invite: "The Scene": 1:13:05About the film The Invite (2026) is directed by Olivia Wilde, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, and distributed by A24. It's an English-language remake of Cesc Gay's 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs (Sentimental). It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026, opened wide July 10, 2026, and is streaming on digital platforms now, with HBO Max to follow. Subscribe to Faking It the Pod for behind the scenes breakdowns of the most iconic sex scenes in film and TV from two working intimacy coordinators. New episodes every other week wherever you get your podcasts. Comment below with the movie or TV intimacy scene we should analyze next! Stay real, fakers. #TheInvite #OliviaWilde #SethRogen #IntimacyCoordinator Research sources: Boston.com: Olivia Wilde on her Boston-area roots, her love of Diane Keaton, and the discomfort of The InviteTIME: Olivia Wilde interview on The InviteSAG-AFTRA Foundation interviewSeth Rogen on Jimmy Kimmel LiveIMDb: The InviteDeadline: Amy Adams, Paul Rudd, Tessa Thompson join The Invite (2023)Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

    The Invite: Consent, Chemistry & Couple Swapping
  3. Aug 26 ·  Video

    Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 [PLAYBACK]

    Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 sex scene breakdown, from the vault: Edward and Bella's meadow, wedding night, and honeymoon. An intimacy coordinator's take on vampire romance We're on vacation, but this episode was too good to stay in the vault. We're revisiting our breakdown of Edward and Bella's unforgettable Twilight scenes, from that infamous meadow moment to the wedding night, the honeymoon, and all the continuity questions that still keep us up at night. Two intimacy coordinators unpack why these scenes work so well emotionally, where the choreography gets… questionable, and why Twilight manages to make everything feel simultaneously incredibly romantic and deeply complicated. Watch along timestamps: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1: "Honeymoon Scene": 34:35 – 37:40Did Twilight redefine the teen romance genre, or are we all just overlooking some truly wild vampire-human logistics? Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. #Playback #Twilight #EdwardAndBella #IntimacyCoordinator #FilmBreakdown Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

    Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 [PLAYBACK]
  4. Aug 12 ·  Bonus Video

    Fifty Shades of Grey [PLAYBACK]

    Fifty Shades of Grey sex scene breakdown, from the vault: what the film gets wrong about BDSM. An intimacy coordinator's take on consent and power dynamics In their PLAYBACK series, the cohosts revisit two fan-favorite episodes from The Hoa Hoa Universe while Ariel and Morgan take their summer break. They’ll be back in September with new episodes of Faking It. Ariel and Morgan break down the infamous first Red Room scene. What was supposed to be mainstream BDSM became basically vanilla, questionable choreography, and music doing the heavy lifting. In this episode: Why the Red Room reads more like spectacle than negotiated intimacyHow the film confuses dominance with control and intensity with compatibilityHow music, montage, and production design work overtime to create heat that isn't really thereWhat a more grounded, informed, and sexier version of this scene could have looked likeWhy Christian Grey is a disappointing Dom and loverThis episode isn't about kink-shaming. It's about unpacking why a movie that centered BDSM failed to show how consent, agency, and erotic tension actually function in practice. It's part critique, part craft analysis, and part public service announcement for anyone who thinks vibes count as communication. Watch along timestamps: Fifty Shades of Grey: "Red Room Scene": 1:22:10 – 1:29:34Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) | Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson | Focus Features Hashtags #FiftyShadesOfGrey #BDSM #RedRoom #IntimacyCoordinator #FilmBreakdown Research sources: Duke University, "Unsuitable": Fifty Shades and the BDSM community backlashLiterary Hub: "Billionaires Are Bad: Revisiting 50 Shades of Grey in the Age of Mega-Rich Creepers"Entertainment Tonight: Dakota Johnson on simulating sex for seven hours straightPeople: Dakota Johnson on the creative "constant battle" over the Fifty Shades moviesSupport the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

    Fifty Shades of Grey [PLAYBACK]
  5. Jul 29 ·  Video

    Off Campus: The Greenest Green Flag in TV?

    Off Campus sex scene breakdown: is it really the greenest green flag on TV? An intimacy coordinator's take on consent as chemistry Consent can be hot. Who knew? (Us. We knew.) What starts as a classic hockey romance somehow turns into one of the healthiest, hottest conversations about intimacy we've seen on screen. Together, Ariel and Morgan discuss why this scene works so well, how consent builds chemistry instead of killing it, and why emotional safety might actually be the sexiest thing a character can bring to the bedroom. In this episode:  How Off Campus approaches sex after sexual assault experiences Why awkward and silly can be incredibly sexy  The filmmaking choices that sell emotional intimacy  Ariel's very STRONG opinions about the show's nudity choices  Three completely ridiculous ways we'd ruin the scene When foreplay becomes... fiveplay? Sixplay? Plus, they kick things off with a spicy industry rant about fake intimacy coordinators, why proper training matters, and why "straight to penetraysh" is almost always the wrong answer.  Watch along timestamps: S1E4 (The Breakup) | "Garrett and Hannah's Scene": 13:34 – 23:13Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Off Campus (Season 1, Episode 4: "The Breakup") | Based on the novels by Elle Kennedy | Created by Louisa Levy | Showrunners: Gina Fattore & Louisa Levy | Directed by Samantha Bailey | Intimacy Coordinator: Katherine Kadler | Starring Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli Hashtags #OffCampus #RomanceTV #IntimacyCoordinator #BehindTheScenes #TVBreakdown Support the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

    Off Campus: The Greenest Green Flag in TV?
  6. Jul 15 ·  Video

    Obsession (2025): The Horror of Non-Consent | Intimacy & Stunt Coordinator Jen Albert

    Obsession (2025) intimacy scene breakdown with the film's intimacy and stunt coordinator, Jen Albert: its most disturbing intimacy, violence, and non-consent scenes. An intimacy coordinator's take on horror and non-consent Together, they explore how Obsession evolved from script to screen, where the line between stunt coordination and intimacy coordination begins and ends, and why one of the film's most unsettling moments is terrifying without relying on gore. In this episode:  Why the infamous bedroom scene is so disturbing  How intimacy coordination differs from stunt coordination  The theatrical cut vs. the streaming cut  Behind-the-scenes stories from filming Obsession Bloody dolls, Sugar glass, and Foam Bricks How actor collaboration and rehearsal shaped the final scenes When horror and intimacy collide Plus, Jen shares what changed from the original script, how the cast approached portraying non-consent, and what really went into filming the movie's iconic brick scene. Watch along timestamps: Obsession: "Nikki and Bear's Intimate Scene": 44:46 – 45:32Obsession: "Bear Finds Sarah": 1:36:56 – 1:37:24Subscribe for behind-the-scenes breakdowns of film and television's most iconic intimacy scenes. Credits Obsession (2025) | Written & Directed by Curry Barker | Starring Inde Navarrette, Michael Johnston, Megan Lawless | Intimacy Coordinated and Stunt Coordinated by Jen Albert Hashtags #Obsession #HorrorMovies #IntimacyCoordinator #StuntCoordinator #FilmPodcast Research sources: Collider: Obsession Has a Blink-and-You'll-Miss-It Scene That's More Unsettling Than Those Brutal KillsSupport the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

    Obsession (2025): The Horror of Non-Consent | Intimacy & Stunt Coordinator Jen Albert
  7. Jul 1 ·  Video

    Pose: Directing Intimacy & Queer Love | Co-Creator Steven Canals

    Pose intimacy scene breakdown with co-creator Steven Canals: how the FX series directed queer love and its groundbreaking sex scenes. An intimacy coordinator's take on directing queer love They discuss how the scene evolved from script to screen, the challenges of directing intimacy before the role of intimacy coordinator was fully established, and why portraying queer love with tenderness, not spectacle, mattered so deeply. In this episode: The collaborative process between director, actors, and intimacy coordinatorBalancing choreography with actor freedom and authenticityHow intimacy coordination has evolved over the past decadeWhy queer intimacy deserves the same emotional depth as any love storyThe importance of consent, vulnerability, and trust in intimate storytellingPlus, Steven shares behind-the-scenes stories from making POSE, reflects on the show's lasting cultural impact, and tells us exactly how he'd ruin his own scene if he had to. Watch along timestamps: S2E8 (Revelations) | "Ricky and Pray Tell": 3:38 – 5:47Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits POSE (Season 2, Episode 8: "Revelations") | Creators: Steven Canals, Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy | FX (2019) Hashtags #PoseFX #QueerTV #QueerIntimacy #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown Research sources: Metro UK: POSE star breaks down Ricky and Pray Tell's Season 2 love sceneSupport the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

    Pose: Directing Intimacy & Queer Love | Co-Creator Steven Canals
  8. Jun 24 ·  Bonus Video

    Sense8 Finale: Going Out with a (Cluster) Bang [Bonus]

    Bonus episode: Sense8 finale orgy scene breakdown, how it was choreographed and why it remains one of the most ambitious intimacy sequences ever filmed. An intimacy coordinator's take on ensemble intimacy From choreography and consent practices to lighting, camera movement, and the challenge of coordinating a massive ensemble scene, they break down how the Wachowskis and J. Michael Straczynski created a sequence that feels emotional, sensual, and deeply connected rather than purely explicit. In this episode: Why foreplay matters for the audience, not just the charactersThe logistics of coordinating large-scale intimacy scenesBoundary-setting techniques, including touch mapping and traffic-light systemsWhy scenes of this scale require multiple intimacy coordinatorsThe importance of diversity, representation, and body variety in intimate storytellingThen, as always, they hand out their Spice Scale scores before completely ruining the scene with some truly terrible creative notes. Watch along timestamps: S2E12 (Amor Vincit Omnia) | "The Finale Orgy Scene": 2:21:00 – 2:26:00Subscribe for bi-weekly behind the scenes breakdowns of film and TV's most iconic sex scenes. Credits Sense8 (Season 2, Episode 12: "Amor Vincit Omnia") | Creators: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, J. Michael Straczynski | Netflix (2018) Hashtags #Sense8 #Wachowski #BehindTheScenes #IntimacyCoordinator #TVBreakdown Research sources: Out: Filming That Polysexual Sense8 Orgy SceneRefinery29: Jamie Clayton Spills on Sense8's Famous Orgy ScenesSupport the show Connect & Support the Show Watch video versions on Spotify and YouTube. Suggest a Scene & Get Bonus Content: Join our Patreon to request scenes and unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Follow Us: Instagram & TikTok @FakingItThePod Website: FakingItThePod.com Theme Song: Faking It by Mike Goetz Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode — subscribe wherever you listen. Love the show? A 5-star rating helps other listeners find us. Stay real, Fakers. For entertainment and educational purposes only. All trademarks and copyrights remain with their respective owners.

    Sense8 Finale: Going Out with a (Cluster) Bang [Bonus]

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About

Two intimacy coordinators reveal what actually happens behind the scenes of film and TV's most iconic intimate moments. We're Ariel and Morgan, two professional intimacy coordinators who choreograph sex scenes for film and TV. We pull back the curtain on how intimacy is really made—from the awkward logistics to the craft that makes it look effortless. On Faking It, we break down: Heated Rivalry: the back arch, the bed share, and why good gay sex wins over hockeyThe hottest no-contact scene in cinema history (Secretary)Why Brokeback Mountain's tent scene needed more lubeThe invisible Buffy sex scene that required flawless pantomimeBarbarella's orgasm machinePEN15's honest depiction of teenage arousal Get behind-the-scenes secrets, absurd Hollywood stories, real talk about love and sex, and a front-row seat to the art of pretending. New episodes every other week. Subscribe now so you don't miss the next breakdown. Catch us on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and all podcast platforms. Follow usInstagram & TikTok: @FakingItThePodPatreon: bonus episodes and scene requestsWebsite: FakingItThePod.com

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